two russian tankers spilled oil The vessel, carrying 9,200 metric tons (62,000 barrels) of oil products, capsized in the Kerch Strait after suffering severe damage during a heavy storm on Sunday, the state TASS news agency reported.
The amount of fuel leaked is being determined, TASS said. It said Volgoneft 212 was carrying about 4,900 tonnes of fuel oil at the time, and Volgoneft 239 was carrying 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.
Russia’s emergency ministry said on Monday that all 14 crew members from Volgoneft 239 had been rescued. The ship ran aground 80 meters from the coast near Taman port.
The Kerch Strait, which separates mainland Russia from Moscow-linked Crimea, is a major route for exports of Russian grain and fuel products.
The spill is likely to be one of the largest environmental disasters to hit the region in recent years.
On Sunday, Volgoneft 212’s bow broke in half as it sank, killing one crew member. Eleven others were taken to local hospitals.
Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ordered the government to set up a working group to handle the rescue operation and mitigate the impact of the leak.
